Logical Reasoning

PT130 · S4 · Q17 Critic: Works of modern literature

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Critic: Works of modern literature cannot be tragedies as those of ancient playwrights and storytellers were unless their protagonists are seen as possessing nobility, which endures through the calamities that befall one.

Evidence

Works of modern literature T → PN cannot be tragedies as those of ancient playwrights and storytellers were unless their protagonists are seen as possessing nobility, which endures through the calamities that befall one.

In an age that no longer ~GF takes seriously the belief that human endeavors are governed by fate.

Conclusion

It is therefore impossible ~T for a contemporary work of literature to be a tragedy.

Evaluate

The argument assumes that ~GF → ~PN if the protagonists’ endeavors are not perceived to be governed by fate, then the protagonists will not be seen as possessing nobility.

17.

Which one of the following is an assumption required by the critic's argument?

  1. Whether or not a work

    Out of Scope

    Characteristics of a work’s audience are not relevant to the argument.

    2% picked this

  2. The belief that human endeavors

    Out of Scope

    The fact of the matter is not relevant. What is relevant is whether people perceive those endeavors as governed by fate.

    3% picked this

  3. Most plays that were once

    Too Strong

    The argument is about contemporary tragedies, while this is about works classified as tragedies more generally.

    0% picked this

  4. Correct

    Those whose endeavors are not

    Why this is right

    This bridges the gap ~GF → ~PN between not seen as governed by fate and not seen as possessing nobility.

    Skill tested: Necessary Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    86% picked this

  5. If an ignoble character in

    Unsupported

    This would only cause a problem for the argument if the ignoble character were a protagonist.

    8% picked this

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